Once the holiday buzz fades after December 25th, major retailers launch their after-Christmas clearance sales, slashing prices to clear out all the remaining unsold inventory (which will be likely be significant this year given the dismal in-person sales many stores reported over Thanksgiving weekend).

These sales often feature deep discounts ranging from 50% to 90% on everything from electronics to apparel, particularly on seasonal items like holiday decor and winter apparel. Here’s the top 10 store-by-store breakdown of what you can expect in late December 2024 and early January 2025.

1. Walmart Christmas Clearance

  • Key Predictions:
  • What to Buy:
    • Kids’ holiday books, artificial trees, and Christmas decor.
    • Example deal from last year: Leftover Christmas decor as low as $0.81.
  • Tips: Walmart’s low prices make their 50%-off deals particularly enticing. Act quickly, as inventory diminishes fast after the new year.

2. Target Christmas Clearance

  • Key Predictions:
    • December 26th: Up to 50% off.
    • December 27th-29th: Up to 70% off.
    • January 4th: Up to 90% off.
    • Shop in-stores and at target.com/c/clearance
  • What to Buy:
    • Wrapping paper, candy, snacks, seasonal decor, and Dollar Spot items.
    • Semi-Annual Toy Clearance: Look for 70% off toy deals around December 27th.
  • Tips: Check Target’s site to confirm stock before heading to the store.

3. Amazon Christmas Clearance

  • Key Predictions:
  • What to Buy: Electronics and toys.
  • Tips: Put a shopping list together and use a tool like Keepa to alert you when there’s a price drop.

4. Hobby Lobby Christmas Clearance

  • Key Predictions:
    • December 25th: Up to 60% off.
    • January 1st: Up to 90% off.
  • What to Buy: Ornaments, garlands, bows, ribbons, and floral holiday decor.
  • Tips: The best discounts come in January, but you’ll need to act quickly for popular items.

5. Walgreens Christmas Clearance

  • Key Predictions:
    • December 26th: Up to 50% off.
    • January 5th: Up to 70% off.
    • January 11th: Up to 90% off.
  • What to Buy: Wrapping paper, bows, Christmas candy, and small decor items.
  • Tips: Clearance dates may vary by location, so check your local store for the best deals.

6. Home Depot Christmas Clearance

  • Key Predictions:
    • December 26th: Up to 50% off.
    • December 30th through January 31st: Up to 75% off.
    • Shop in-stores and at homedepot.com
  • What to Buy: Artificial Christmas trees and large holiday decor.
  • Example deals: Last year they has a 9-ft Chelsey Balsam Fir Pre-Lit Artificial Tree n sale for $224.75 (reg. $899).
  • Tips: Shop online for tree clearance deals starting around December 30th.

7. Lowe’s Christmas Clearance

  • Key Predictions:
    • December 24th through January 31st: Up to 90% off.
    • Shop in-stores and at lowes.com
  • What to Buy:
    • Holiday decor and artificial Christmas trees.
  • Example deals: Last year they had a 7.5-ft Lachlan Balsam Artificial Fir Tree on sale for $124.75 (reg. $499).

8. Michaels Christmas Clearance

  • Key Predictions:
    • December 26th: Up to 80% off.
    • February 24th: Up to 90% off.
  • What to Buy: Ashland Christmas items, including trees, garlands, and ornaments.
  • Tips: By February, clearance reaches 90%, but selection may be extremely limited.

9. Kohl’s After-Christmas Clearance

  • Key Predictions:
  • What to Buy: Winter apparel, vacuum cleaners, air fryers, and Christmas decor.
  • Tips: Waiting for 80% off in January might not be wise, as selection will be sparse.

10. CVS Christmas Clearance

  • Key Predictions:
    • December 26th: Up to 50% off.
    • January 10th: Up to 75% off.
    • January 19th: Up to 90% off.
  • What to Buy: Holiday candy, gift bags, lights, and cards.
  • Tips: Use the CVS app to scan weekly ad deals and confirm inventory at your nearest store.

Other After-Christmas Sales to Watch

  • Winter Apparel and Clearance Events:
    • Dick’s Sporting Goods: Up to 75% off winter coats, boots, and ski gear.
    • Nordstrom Rack: Save 50%–75% on clothing brands during February’s “Clear The Rack” event.
    • REI: Shop outdoor gear at up to 50% off during January and February sales.
    • Patagonia: Their semi-annual sale (aka Winter Sale) arrives sometime in late-January or early-February with up to 50% off select past-season styles.
    • Lush Cosmetics: Their Boxing Day sale is their only sale of the year. Shop in-stores or online on Thursday, December 26.
    • The Children’s Place: Look for 75% off sitewide clearance in February.

Prepare your shopping list and mark your calendars—these post-holiday sales are the perfect time to save big on holiday and winter essentials!